davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1887-05-27
Evils OF Monopoly,


The tendency of the age is constantly
toward great aggregations OF capital.
Not many years ago business of any
kind representing capital OF 100000,
was considered an enormous affair, out
to-day scarcely any new enterprise is
undertaken without being backed by
millions of dollars in place of thousands.
In one sense and from one standpoint
this Is good economy. The same super.
intendence, the same number Of clerks
and about the same number of employees
can manage tho affairs of concern with
capital Of &5, ,OOO, 900 just as efficiently
as If the capital were but $500, 900, and in
consequence tho returns upon the invest.
ment will be so much the greater, a. n
dollar saved in expense is 4 dollar
earned.
There are certain lines of business in
which such combinations of capital are
entirely legitimate and work no hardship
to the consumer. Wherever the product
| is luxury 1t really makes no difference
whether Its production is controlled by a
monopoly or not. II a person does not
choose to pay the price asked, he need not
buy. For instance, If all the artificial
| flowers in the United States were made by
one firm or one corporation nobody
| would be materially affected by It,
But when 1t comes to the actual necessi-
| ties of lite, there is an argument against
| these monopolistlc methods which is ire.
| futable, and that is, that there is no moral
| right and should be no legal right to spec
ulate upon tho needs Of humanity. The
| question of food supply should be left to
| regulate itself, ana not be made subject
| to the domination of q dozen or twenty
men, whose combined capital can hold n
nation ut its control.
These remarks arc suggested by re-
| cent dispatch IN reference to the forna-
ton of a gigantic corporation, with Il
capital of $25 ,000, 900. to secure the mas
terry of she great cattle interests of the
| United States. The nominal object of
| this combination is to increase, develop
and encourage the raising and handling
of cattle, the slaughtcring Of them by
| first hands, and the placing OF their pro-
ducts in the different markets of the
! world. II is claimed that this will DO of
| great advantage to all rHisers Of cattle;
| but this scheme leaves out of sight the
most important matter of all--the effect
upon the consumer. 1t Is easy TO see
that such plan might readily benefit
the producer and the mitidleman, hut
now about the man who ultimately foOts
| all the bills-the consumers
| Here is Just the vice of all these vast
| aggregatons Of capital, whether they be
| for purposes Of transportation or Tor fur.
nishing food or water or light or an,
necessary of life they have no regard fol
the rights Of the consumer; 1t Is righ
Omaha daily bee., 1887-05-27
"A Strange Life.

Madison, Ca, Madisonian: John w.
Martin died at his residence in Morgan
county, Ga, on the 27th day of April,
1887, being at the time of his death sev.
eenty-six years and twenty.four days old
April 3, 1911. He was raised in north
east Georgia, and was a twin brother of
w. T. Martin, better known as Major
Bill. OF Banks county. lie was also
brother of the late Hon. Philip Martin,
of Tugaie Valley. His father was acci.
den,ly killed. before John w. and W. +.
Martin were born, the widow having five
boys and one girl to raise and performed
her duty as best she could. At about the
age of seventeen, John w. was at Law.
renceville completing his education. He
was married in Hall county over fifty
years ago to Miss Betsy Crew, who, to.
gether with large family OF children
and grandchildren survive to mourn his
demise. He moved from northeast GeOr.
gia to Greene Co., In December 1849. and
thence to Morgan county in the following
December, where he lived up to the time
of his death. He raised five boys and
girls, aud it is a singular fact that they
never were, all Of them. under the par.
entail roof at one time. His two eldest
daughters wore married before the war.
His eldest son was with Lee in Virginia,
his youngest daughter WAS horn soon
after the late war, his daughter, Mrs. Els.
per. was living IN Kentucky at Bowling
Green, when the cholera was raging in
that country-three of her childred lying
almost on the same day. she determined.
with her two surviving children, to flee
to her father in this county, but she, too,
was stricken down on her way home at
Atlanta, where her father and mother
went and lovingly ministered at her
dying bedside. Her babe survived and
was raised by her father. John W. Mar
tin was we'll known in Morgan county as
a good neighbor and true friend. and
will be mourned by all who knew him.
His twin brother proceeded him to tho
spirit land one year and fifteen days.
Omaha daily bee., 1887-05-27
A LOng.Haul Absurdity.

ST. LOUIS heluDuCdV.
The fourth section OF the inter state
commerce law has revealed many curl
osities of railroad management but the
greatest curiosity has only just been pre-
sented-and 1t is this: That the Canada
Pacific road can take freight at San
Francisco, have it carried 700 miles by
ocean steamer to British Columbia, re.
ship it and load it on cars at Port Moody,
and take it to New York cheaper than
our own Pacific roads can afford to carry
it in a single shipment across the coun-
try, although the latter route Is about
1000 the sdorter. And again: That the
Canadian Pacific can take Claus Spreck.
les sugar at San Francisco, carry it by
sea to British Columbia, thence by rail
to st. Paul, and from there send it to
Omaha-3,300 miles-cheaper than our
own roads can bring it from San Fran.
cisco to Omaha, only 1915 miles.
The amusement with which we read
this extraordinary statements explained
when we read the fact that our Pacific
roads, whose carrying capacity is thus
deprecated by their own officials, have
not cost the companies owning them dol
lar; they were built by money subsidies
and land grants from the government;
yot, Notwithstanding this advantage, they
cannot compete with a road built through
the wintcry wilds of British America
in carrying freights between points IN
the United States.
No intelligent man can be mada to be-
lieve such stuff as this. A line that hauis
freight 1900 miles between two points
can do 1t cheaper than line that has to
haul it $500 miles to connect with the
same points. All the advantage in COM
petition are IN favor of the former-and
no pleas about hauling empty cars can
explain away those advantages.
There is nothing in the new law that
forbids our Pacific roads to compete with
the Canadian Pacific; that law merely re-
quires that if they wish to haul freight
between competing points at low rates,
they shall accord the same privilege Oi
low rates to non competing points also
| if they wish to carry tea, sugar, silks and
wool Q, 500 miles ut $500 per carload, they
shall not charge more than $500 per car
load for carrying the same commodities
| 1000 miles.
Omaha daily bee., 1887-05-27

THE rowdy editor whom Governor
Thayer refused to appoint on the police
commission denounces Chief of Police
Seavey as bogus chief, and declares that
any arrest made by him or under his
authority is illegal. This may be very
encouraging to sluggers and crooks. but
they had better not rely too much on
their ability to recover damages from the
city, should the new chief Of police or
any of his force rudely interfere with
their professional practice.
Omaha daily bee., 1887-05-27

Mr.. WILLIAM NYE Is evidently close
observer OF human nature. During a res.
idence OF only few months in New York
he paints the following picture of Jay
Gould; Jay Gould would attract worry
little attention here on the streets, but he
would certainly be looked upon with sus.
picion In Paradise. A man who would
fail to remember that he had 81, 900, 600
that belonged TO the Erie road, but who
does not forget to remember whenever he
paid his own hotel bills at Washington, is
she kind Of man who would pull up and
pawn the payements of Paradise within
thirty days after he got there"
Omaha daily bee., 1887-05-27
A Self.Satisf1ed Lord,

On last Tuesday the National club OF
Toronto entertained Lansdowne, who re-
sponded to toast complimentary to him.
self. The telegraphic report shows the
speech to have been in some respects a
rather creditable production, and as the
audience was most thoroughly loyal it
was of course received with many demon
sirations of approval A considerable
share Of 1t was devoted to the fisheries
question. and it is to be noted that the
governor general talked quite ra-
tionally respecting the relations that
ought to submit between Canada and
the United States. He was disposed to
make good deal OF allowance for the
irritation of the New England fishermen
as being perfectly natural, but he coun.
seled no moderation on both sides. and
had no doubt If the right spirit were per-
mitted to control there need be no appre.
hensiOn Of the result.
The conspicuous feature of interest in
the address, however. was the reference
of the marquis to the event which has
brought him more prominently into pub.
lie attention than any other in his not re-
markably brilliant career. Ills allusion
to this was a quite neat example of rhe-
torical indirection. He remarked that a
slight touch Of electricity had been per.
ceptib.e in the atmosphere, and that
certain stars have shot madly from
their spheres into your quiet tirmament,'
experiencing the fate which usually over
takes such erratic consultations; but the
disturbance had been brief and
inconsiderable, and he trusted would
leave no traces behind. As to himself
sustained by the kindness of the class to
whom he was talking, the affair did not
for an instant interfere with his happi-
ness or convenience. He went on to ex-
press his entire satisfaction with the stu.
alton so far as he is personally con-
cerned. and to indicate that ne felt rs Sc
cure In the loyal confidence of the Can
sdian people as he had ever been.
This professed complacency may be
real and it may be affected, but in either
case it does not help the cause of the
marquis Of Lansdowne. The law was
outraged. free speech was assailed
and violence was committed in
Toronto and other Canadian cities BY
his adherents, and having the knowledge
that these things were threatened and
the power to prevent their occurrence
he did not move hand or utter word
for their prevention. And while ye
other outrages were being threatened
and planned. the governor general, re
spending to toast of loyal friends in hi
honor, talks fiippantly of all this serious
matter as ''touch of electricity" q dis
Omaha daily bee., 1887-05-27
An linpOlitic Nov e,

The chairman of the repub lican city
committee has called the committee to-
gether on a twelve hours notice to con-
nomination of board of education
ticket. 1t now remains for the committee
to decide whether partizanship shall be
foisted upon the citizens of Omaha in
choosing their school board. Being for
the most part made up of ward workers
the committee is liable to give coun ten
ance to this scheme. For our part. we
adhere to the views heretofore expressed
by the BEE. 1t is improper IL not impo-
litic to make party nominations for the
board of education. 1t is contrary TO the
spirit of the law and has a powerful ten
dency to demoralize our school board
management by making its members
subservient to political Influences.
1t engrafts political spoils upon our edu.
cational system. Friends OF popular ed.
ucation cannot afford to give it counter
ance or support. From party stand
point the move ia decidedly impolitic.
The mass of republican voters cannot be
held together to support q party ticket
for board of education. No intelligent
voter can be dragooned into voting a
party ticket for school board. The result
will be disastrous to party discipline
Instead of gaining strength for the next
political contest, the party will find itself
weakened by bitter personal contention
begotten by the strife for nominations,
and the usual elimination and re-criml-
nation that follow in the wake of every
nominating convention.
In forcing political issue upon the
community where partisan rancor should
be kept in the back ground, the
party managers are only inviting popu
lar revolt. The patrons of our schools
want no party hacks in the school board
and will not countenance barter ant
trade in school board appointments
They desire to place the schools under
control OF competent, conscientious and
reputable citizens. and they will, we con
tidently believe, ignore party couven
tions and reject partisan candidates.
Omaha daily bee., 1887-05-27
A Stubb Manager.

A maladrOit witness turned up yester-
day before the interstate commerce
commissioners, in the person of General
Manager Stubbs, of the Southern Pacific
railroad. This interesting person is evil
IDENTIFY one of the graduates of that ad-
vanced school of railway management
which teaches that the mission of rail.
roads is to foster industries at one point
and depress them at another in the in.
terest of favored individuals or corpora.
tions. To MIR. Stubbs, therefore, it
seemed entirely naturally that an oppres-
sive charge should have been made for
transporting produce from San Francisco
to points in Nevada, for that, in his view,
was only reasonable method of build.
ing up agricultural interests in the latter
planation of the reason for fixing the
rate for raw sugar from San Francisco to
the Missouri river. The producers
couldn't pay any more than fifty cents a
hundred-that was "what the traffic
would bear" So Mr.. Stubs rail.
road brought Claus Speckle's sugars.
east at a loss, and taxed local
traffic to make up the difference. Equally
just seemed to the Stubbsian mind the
iucIuOu VI
rates by which consignees at points east
of San Francisco were compelled to pay
for New York freight the through rate
to San Francisco, added to the local rate
from San Francisco to the point OF con-
signment. These disorderly notions of
the transportation business-that rail.
road company may tear down or build
up industries here and there by favorit-
ism in rates, that freight may properly
be carried at loss if the loss be saddled
upon some other shipper; and that dis
tance should not be the principal element
in computing freight rates-seem to be a
part of the mental furnishing of traffic
managers ON ali trunk lines Of railway.
When the Stubbses of railway manage
ment are introduced to reforms in their
business methods that come in the guise
of compulsory legislation they seem dazed
and instead Of meeting the popular re-
quirement half way, lean back in their
chairs, and expostulate with the newt:
able. In studying what the traffic will
bear they neglect to consider what the
public sense of justice demands.
Omaha daily bee., 1887-05-27

THE attempt of the Celtic to telescope
the Brittanic, $50 miles east of Sandy
Hook, will cause ocean travellers mach
uneasiness while crossing the banks this
season. The twenty-four hours in which
a heavy fog always hangs over that por-
ton Of the route will he long and dreary--
more tedious than before this last dsas.
tor, although a similar accident is not
likely to occur again.
Omaha daily bee., 1887-05-27

here that socialism, oven IN ITS worse
sense, appeals to SO many. When q poor
man, working hard every day for q bare
living, finds the price OF meat and flour
and sugar and other articles of food rising
higher and higher, although the supply
is all the timc increasing, 1t is hard to
make him contented with the maxims of
political economy. or to persuade him
that all such matters are regulated by
supply and demand. lie cannot sec
and why should heY-why the more
wheat is produced in California the
higher should be the price of flour, or
why, when the herds of cattle in Colo
RADIO and Texas and Nevada are con.
stantly growing larger, the price OF his
dinner should be more.
There can be but one conclusion to all
this modern style of combining capital,
which is that in time it will become so
uncomfortable, that the people, who after
all are in the majority, will forbid by law
the formation OF such, or, possibly, any
corporations, and compel the possessOrs
OF wealth to stand on the same footing
with the posscsSorS of intelligence and
industry-that of individuality. No gci,>
uine socialism seeks to deprive any indi.
vidual of his money any more than Of
his brains, but it is not impossible that
the interest Of society may make 1t neces'
sary to prohibit the pooling of money
and to require each TO stand or fall for
himself. Then the Industrious and
thrifty will not be permitted to carry
along the weak and shiftless, as they do
now in many eases, and the survival OF
the fittest will result in strong, individ.
ualized well-ordered people.
Omaha daily bee., 1887-05-27
Tho New BridQe Project.

There never has been an enterprise
undertaken to advance the material well
fare Of Omaha which has not met resis.
tance or opposition from some quarter.
The proposed wagon bridge between
Council Bluffs and Omaha Is no excep-
ton. Now that the company has made
all the preliminary arrangements for
building tho bridge, and in fact has let
the contract for its construction, obsta.
cles are thrown in its way under pretense
that the location of this bridge will pre-
vent the building of q railroad bridge by
the Milwaukee read. Now why can't
Omaha daily bee., 1887-05-27
Asleep on the Track.

Mike McCabe came near passing out Of
this world last night in tragic manner.
He was full of whisky, and insisted upon
sleeping on the railroad track. near
Boyd's packing house. He was pulled
out of the way of passing trains several
times by parties living near by, who
hsd him removed to the police station.
Omaha daily bee., 1887-05-27

THE extra session Of the Missouri leg.
islature is busily engaged passing appro.
priatiOn bills. Ono railroad bill has been
introduced fixing maximum rates, but
permits railroad commissioners to adopt
lower schedule. Such privilege to a
railroad commission will never be util.
lied,
Omaha daily bee., 1887-05-27
A Remark able Hallway Accid ent.

Talking about collisions and railroad
accidents, SAID a brakeman, after put
ting window up for young lady pas
senger, and failing to notice an old
woman who wanted similar service per.
formed, "let me tell you of an incident l
saw once down in Pennsylvania. There
was narrow gauge road down there,
which used the track of the Old Atlantic
Il Great Western broad gauge for seven
miles, of course running on its own rail,
set right between the rails of the other
road. The old Atlantic x Great Western,
you know, is now the Nypano or New
York. Pennsylvania Il Ohio, a part of the
Erie system. Its gauge was six feet wide,
and what big cars they used to run on
Well, one night there was collision be-
tween narrow gauge train and broad
gauge train. Some mistake about orders,
guess it was Anyhow, a narrow gauge
passenger train dashed into the rear
end Of broad gauge passenger
train, and with the curiousest result you
ever heard of. That little narrow gauge
engine just jumped right up into the big
cars of the other train, and never stopped
till it reached the tender of the broad
gauge locomotive. And what was the
funniest thing about it, it drew the
whole train after 1t, the little cars run
ming right up the aisle OF the big train
and never hurting a passenger in either
train, 'ccpt one feller what had his head
. outen window of the narrow gauge
smoking car. He was pretty badly hurt.
1t was mighty queer sight, let me tell
you, one train inside another and the
passengers of each talking to each other
as comfortable as you please. | was
brakeman on the broad gauge train, and,
as we were under runnin' orders to
make Salamanca by a certain min
ute, we went right along. without
stopping, taking the other train with us.
Tho best joke of it all was that my con-
ductor went through the narrow gauge
tram and made all the passengers whack
m cash fares
Omaha daily bee., 1887-05-27

The Chicago boOdlers are now posing
before the blinded goddess, awaiting the
vengeance of the outraged law. The way
Sharp is being treated in New York the
Cook county thieves believe there is q
hope for them.
Omaha daily bee., 1887-05-27

PRESIDENT CLEVELAND has accepted
the invitation signed by 10000 citizens Of
st. Louis, and will visit that town in Sep.
tember. From the length of the petition
it appears that St. Louis is guilty of max.
ing mad chase after party spoils.
Omaha daily bee., 1887-05-27

The Illinois legislature, since the dis.
graceful fight between two of its mem.
bers has grown wonderfully and exceed
ingly virtuous. 1t is only graphing with
great moral questions, and expects to
continue until June 10. What is so rare
"a . legislature IN Junes --
Omaha daily bee., 1887-05-27

THERE is one thing gratifying regard
ing Queen Kapialonis visit to this coun-
try, and that is she left no style" or fash
ION" to be twigged by sentimental
gushors or painted fashion plates.
Omaha daily bee., 1887-05-27

WITH monopoly on the fresh beef
supply Of the entire country; the ques.
ton is not "Shall We live again." but
how to live in the immediate now is o
problem that will puzzle philosophers.
All things are tending to 'combina-
tions." Even the truthful circus adver-
tisements announce royal combinations.
Omaha daily bee., 1887-05-27

1T isestlmated that between $500, 900, ,0C0
and 6OO,OOO,0OO will be expended in rail-
road construction in the United States
during the current year. BY the time
this is properly watered, it will represent
about four times the above amount.
Omaha daily bee., 1887-05-27

BUFFALO BILLS daughter will share
her fathers glory-and is to be received
at court. Mr.. SHAKESPEARE wrote it well
when he said there is tide in the
affairs of man, in which If you catch on,
leads to fortune.
Omaha daily bee., 1887-05-27

No REPORT has yet been received from
the railway commission which at this
time is supposed to be between Norfolk
and Long Pine. The B. Il NJ. should send
out relief expedition.
Omaha daily bee., 1887-05-27

The st. Paul Globe is already jealous
of Omaha's proposed Yankton line. 1t
says the business of Yankton naturally
belongs to st. Paul, and she is not likely
to give up what is hers by right.
Omaha daily bee., 1887-05-27

Mr. HALsTEAD wants to "have rest
on Keifer," and says he is tired of see.
ing his name in the papers" Mr.. Hal.
stead understands that it is the duty of a
great editor to voice the sentiments of
the people.
Omaha daily bee., 1887-05-27

GOVERNOR AMEs, OF Massachusetts,, re.
Gently delivered speech at Brooklyne in
which he waved tho bloody shirt until he
shook it to shreds. The bloody shirt is
getting to be a chestnut There are argu.
ments more modern and equally effec.
tive
Omaha daily bee., 1887-05-27

THos. MAST says the mugwumps are
more numerous than ever, and that they
are all for Cleveland in 1888. MIR. Mast,
even while on a pleasure tour, remembers
the policy Of the paper upon which he is
employed,
Omaha daily bee., 1887-05-27

THERE are being organized several
base ball clubs composed entirely of
women. We do not see but what the
women can play ball as well as the men
do this season.
Omaha daily bee., 1887-05-27

O'BRIEN is to visit Niagara falls. He
probably has no idea of shooting Mag.
ara, but perhaps would like to shoot
some of the natives near by.
Omaha daily bee., 1887-05-27

EDITOR O'BRrEN looked in on M
American legislature at Albany, and i'm
mediately left for Montreal.
Omaha daily bee., 1887-05-27

Ir now appears that the Chicago Trib-
une'S hero, Walter Ridgely, robbed the
train in Texas the other day.
Omaha daily bee., 1887-05-27
Iowa Items.

woman named Gooding was instantly
killed by lightning at Dayton Saturday
night.
The gas question at Dubuque is filling
the council chamber with great amount
OF natural gas of poor quality.
Tho giants of Oshkosh have walloped
the conceit out of the Des Moines club.
The papers, too, have fallen on their
necks with words Of sc0rn and the wrath